Article December 2, 1967 Issue

"Know the truth"

JOHN OGILVIE HORNE

During his trial by Pontius Pilate on the night before his crucifixion, Christ Jesus made this statement to Pilate: "To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth."^{John 18:37;} As many have done since that day, Pilate asked, "What is truth?" And like many, he did not wait for the answer but busied himself with human affairs.

A student of Christian Science who was experiencing much error in his private affairs often received this advice, "Know the truth." At first, he asked himself: "What is the truth? What do I have to know?" Later, as a result of study and prayer, his understanding grew, and he began to realize the meaning of the kind and helpful advice.

The truth he had to know and the way to apply it to his problems unfolded to him by steps. One of the earliest was the understanding, in a degree, of a statement by Mrs. Eddy, "The Christlike understanding of scientific being and divine healing includes a perfect Principle and idea, —perfect God and perfect man,—as the basis of thought and demonstration."^{Science and Health, p. 259;} Here was a statement of truth he could grasp and hold on to, something upon which he could base prayer and study in solving daily problems.